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Team Trims Roster to 20 Players in Anticipation of 2016 NWSL Season Opener on Sunday

Sky Blue FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced its regular season roster on Monday, trimming down to 20 players as the team wraps up the 2016 preseason. Sky Blue FC will officially open its regular season slate this Sunday when it travels west to face Seattle Reign FC.

“We are all very excited to get the season underway,” said Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC head coach. “We now have a solid preseason under our belts, where we were able to blend in the new faces within our club. Internally, we have set very high standards and big expectations for what the future holds for this newly assembled team, and the impression they will have on our fan base in New Jersey and the surrounding areas.”

Some key arrivals to Sky Blue FC in the past week have been Australian striker Sam Kerr and Costa Rican international Raquel Rodriguez, who the team made the second overall selection in the 2016 NWSL College Draft this past January. Kelley O’Hara will also be returning to New Jersey this week after a two-game tilt with the U.S. Women’s National Team against Colombia.

Sky Blue FC will be bringing a pair of goalkeepers with it when the club heads to Seattle, with Caroline Stanley and Caroline Casey holding those two spots. Stanley was acquired via free agency at the start of the preseason, while Casey was taken by Sky Blue FC in the 2016 NWSL College Draft.

The defensive front for Sky Blue FC will once again be led by longtime captain and New Jersey native Christie Rampone, who will be joined by veterans CoCo Goodson, Kristin Grubka, Maya Hayes and O’Hara. Newcomers to the team include 2016 NWSL College Draft selection Erica Skroski and Erin Simon, who came to the club through open tryouts.

Returning from the 2015 Sky Blue FC midfield will be Shawna Gordon, Sarah Killion, Taylor Lytle and Nikki Stanton, while Ashley Nick arrived back in New Jersey during the preseason for her second stint with the club. New arrivals to the midfield are 2016 first round pick Rodriguez and Kelly Conheeney, who earned her roster spot after originally coming through open trials.

Up top will be a few familiar faces, beginning with 2015 Sky Blue FC Golden Boot winner Kerr. Tasha Kai, one of the most productive offensive players in franchise history, also returns to New Jersey this season after taking some time away from the game. Additionally, Kim DeCesare is back for a second year with Sky Blue FC, while newcomer Danielle Schulmann looks to make an immediate impact after working her way onto the roster via open tryouts.

* Forward Leah Galton is a contracted player of Sky Blue FC who will be out of market until she completes the spring semester to graduate from Hofstra University. At that time, she will be added to the team roster.

Season and individual tickets for Sky Blue FC are on sale now! Season ticket packages start as low as $130 and can be purchased online today. For any questions regarding tickets, call the Sky Blue FC tickets department at 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849), and a team representative will be happy to assist you.

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